Page 108 of A Light in the Dark
“But at least you can supply yourself for your crafting adventures.”
I pointed at Joel. “I’m extorting him for his silk, so I’m covered.”
She snickered. “Kidnapping and extortion. What else are you getting up to with him?”
“Well, I’m not trafficking him, that’s for certain. This luna moth is mine,” I informed her in a solemn tone. “I’m even being generous and allowing him to go to work when needed, although I might be tempted to show up if he’s late returning to my domicile. I’ll even escort him to his domicile to make certain everything is in good working order. What other charges do you think I can add to my rap sheet?”
“I think kidnapping and extortion are excellent starter charges.”
“But I could go for gold and get an epic list of charges. How about vandalism when I lock him out of his own home through changing his locks on him?”
“No.”
I sighed. “Come on, Coraline. It would be fun! How about theft? I’ll steal all his computer shit and put it in my house so he doesn’t want to leave.”
“I’ll allow that one. I’ll even aid and abet you for that level of mischief.”
I rubbed my hands together. “I can’t steal his SUV; I don’t have a parking garage under my house like he does, so he cankeep his vehicle safely there. But I could do a few counts of carjacking? I’ll force him to visit his family.”
“That’s a good one. Approved. Speaking of family, you should probably call yours, as you haven’t been home to answer your phone.”
Crap. I dug out my phone, checked the reception, determined I’d get a nasty bill for roaming and calling, but dialed my parents’ landline anyway.
On the third ring, my father answered, “Mayor Valerie Chester of Stonecreek?”
Crap, crap, crap. “It’s not my fault!”
Coraline snickered, and all things considered, she did an admirable job of keeping quiet.
“That part I believe, as we read the news reports on what happened. Fortunately, your boss got our number and gave us a call, informing us you were busy securing some man for yourself when you weren’t resenting your stay at a hospital in Moonriver?”
I was beyond dead when my parents got a hold of me, but at least I’d go out grinning over my changed circumstances. “Did Humphrey actually tell you that?”
“Not in that order, but it got our attention. The hospital stay we believed without question. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. My neighbor, which is the man in question, got smacked in the head with a baseball bat. I had an adventure in the woods and ended up in Moonriver. All in all, I emerged mostly unscathed, but I was asked to stay in the hospital longer than I appreciate to keep my neighbor from trying to escape prematurely.”
“What’s this about being the mayor?”
“Apparently, due to my ability to negotiate peace on astreet notorious for conflict, I was deemed somehow worthy. I treat refugees like they’re people. For the record, I protested the whole mayor thing, and I’m doing my best to ignore it. My first act as mayor is to make sure being mayor does not eat up more than fifteen hours a week, at most, excepting legitimate emergencies.”
“How strange.”
“I know, right? Also, you know that town of recluses next door to you?”
“Yes. Why are you asking?”
“The man is from that town.”
My father sighed. “Seriously, Valerie? You threw your lot in with them?”
“I kidnapped one of their men and made off with him. I’m not throwing my lot in with them. I’m stealing from them and using force to keep the man I selected for myself.” I giggled. “You should be proud of me. I haven’t screwed up my relationship with the man yet. His family is really nice, too.”
“Is he financially stable?”
I loved my father, but sometimes, his priorities drove me more than a little wild. “Considering he owns and operates Sampson Sigils, I’m confident in stating that he’s capable of pulling his own weight. I don’t think this mayor gig is going to do much for me financially, but my regular job just paid out a nice bonus and gave me a good raise, so I’m doing all right myself.”
“Now I know you’re pulling my chain.”
